Entertainment
Spotify Wrapped 2024: What Podcasts Did India Listen to This Year?
Winter has come and it’s another year’s end. Spotify Wrapped threw a surprise to us with all the details of what we listened to all year long. Over 640 million people listened to podcasts on Spotify. Yes, that’s a big number!
Unlike every year, this year is a little more special. It’s the 10th anniversary of Spotify Wrapped! Can you believe it? It’s been a decade already since we started discovering what our brains and hearts wanted. Spotify made it super personal this time and even a little tricky for me to write about the best. If you’re a Spotify subscriber, you can check your own Wrapped report which is waiting for you in the app.
Podcasts in the Spotlight
Podcasts have been growing day after day, just like gold in the Indian market. They stole the show and a massive space in Spotify’s library. Guess which one topped the charts?
The Ranveer Show! (TRS): That’s right, Ranveer Allahbadia‘s podcast not only led the charts in India but made the lead globally, too. It’s a show for self-help, interesting and inspiring conversations and intriguing topics.
But wait, there’s more! Indian listeners had a clear set of favourite podcast genres too this year. They are horror, true crime and self-help podcasts.
A few podcasts from these genres:
- The Khooni Monday offers chilling twists from the classic Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to the terrifying The Clown story. As a listener, many find this podcast dark, haunting and can keep us connected from the first word to the last. The podcast sets an eerie tone and the sound design feels like you’re actually living the story. Listening to these podcasts feels like stepping into a different world. Into a world where every shadow’s got a story and a mere whisper to chill your spine.
- The Desi Crime Podcast has a range of strong opinions from its listeners. Followers praise the show for its storytelling, respectful acknowledgement of victims and dedication to highlighting cases from underrepresented regions. Every such aspect makes it the finest Indian podcast for true crime narratives. However, some criticisms pop up and steer into insensitive territory. A review expressed deep offence at comments on a mother’s parenting style. They viewed that element as irrelevant and disrespectful to a young girl’s tragic murder. This led to disappointment and disengagement from some listeners. Nevertheless, the podcast is celebrated for its gripping content and social relevance.
Five women-led podcasts are listed among the top ten on Spotify in India. Let’s read about two from the list:
- Madly In Kaadhal is a Tamil podcast that shares the peculiar love story of Rahul and Thaenmozhi, a couple with 14-year age gap. Presented by RJ Nidhi, popular from her earlier success Metro Kaadhal. The podcast captures romance, emotional highs and lows, including possessiveness, misunderstandings and conflicts. Episodes are titled after hit Tamil films like “Mouna Raagham” The Silent Song, “Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya” Whatta Magic You did to Me, and “Snegithiye” Lover/Admirer. The podcast offers relatable, real-life emotional struggles adding cinematic flair for engaging and deeply impactful. Nidhi’s voice has warmth and adds realism to the narrative. Most listeners are immersed in Rahul and Thaenmozhi’s journey only because of her voice too.
- A self-help podcast, Call Me Hopeful is a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Ira Khan. This podcast focuses on and discusses the subtle and often misunderstood mental health issues on the Indian internet. The series addresses the challenges of misinformation, oversimplification and overcomplication of mental health concepts. With India’s current mental health situations, this podcast is a simple yet effective and much-needed initiative tackling sensitive and essential topics with sincerity and depth subtly.
Decade of Celebrations!
Over the past 10 years, Wrapped evolved from a simple playlist recap to a detailed report that’s personal, fun and let’s be honest, a little revealing. Spotify ensured all subscribers got an individualised report filled with stats, quirks and a few guilty pleasures from this year. I feel it’s not just about what we listened to but about who we are as listeners. Do you agree?
Wrapping It All Up
So, what’s your Wrapped story this year? Did you dive into horror podcasts late at night? Binge-listen to true crime during your commute? Or maybe got some life-changing advice from a self-help episode?
We all embrace streaming as entertainment and a way to learn, grow, and connect.
Check your stats and celebrate another year of streaming. Who knows, maybe next year, you could be the one creating a podcast that tops the charts!
Until then, keep listening and keep reading!
Read More About Popular Podcasts on YouTube Here!